In 2022 cyber threats continued to grow
In 2022 cyber threats continued to grow in size and scope. The war in Ukraine, ransomware, increased social engineering attacks and new attack vectors…businesses and organisations are on full alert. Unfortunately, we’re likely to see this advanced threat landscape continue into 2023.
As we look to the year ahead, the Appurity team has highlighted the cybersecurity areas where we expect to see IT resources diverted and where we’ll be focusing our efforts and services. Plus, we’ll take a look at the tools and technologies organisations can utilise as they develop their cyber strategies for this year.
Ransomware
Predicting the future is generally difficult, but this one is easy: the threat of ransomware won’t go anywhere in 2023. Attack methods and vectors are likely to adapt, and criminals will find novel ways to infiltrate organisations. CISOs and business leaders need to be ready for this increase in ransomware attacks. Earlier this year, the Microsoft Digital Defense Report 2022 warned that nation-state groups are becoming increasingly dangerous as they take advantage of zero-day vulnerabilities and target critical businesses and organisations. Although these ransomware threats will affect all businesses, those in regulated industries – legal, finance, government – should take extra note.
Ransomware attacks affect bottom lines, increase downtime, and can have broad social and economic repercussions. Smart businesses will be looking to strengthen their security defences in several ways in 2023, but mitigating against the threats of ransomware attacks will be a top priority. Increasing visibility by introducing robust asset management policies is one area where businesses will focus their efforts to reduce the risk of attacks.
Device visibility and asset management
Software vulnerabilities are at an all-time high. Over 23,000 vulnerabilities have been discovered in 2022 so far. In 2021, 20,171 vulnerabilities were discovered, an increase from 18,325 vulnerabilities in 2020. Perhaps you can see a pattern forming.
This growing trend is likely to continue into 2023. Large volumes of vulnerabilities to fix and patch is no mean feat for IT and security teams. But any CISO knows that failing to keep up with these updates potentially opens up their business to exploitation and attack.
Visibility is the first step to remediating this problem. In 2023, organisations will need to double down on their efforts to increase visibility over their people, devices and data.
What does this mean in practice? Businesses will look to streamline their asset management procedures, complete and update inventories of their IoT-connected devices, and constantly monitor and patch devices.
Some organisations will look to solutions that provide policy templates out-of-the-box, so all their mobile management and vulnerability needs are handled simply and effectively. For larger or multinational businesses, they’ll be working with technology partners that can develop fine-tuned, bespoke app and device management policies that can be rolled out at-scale.
Firms that provide holistic security solutions that offer network and device visibility, asset management registers, and security validation services will continue to be in high demand.
ZTNA
Zero trust is the future of endpoint security. Gartner reports that ZTNA is the fastest-growing segment of network security, forecast to grow 31% in 2023. This steep growth is accelerated by the adoption of remote and hybrid working arrangements as businesses see ZTNA as the most reliably secure way to protect their dispersed workforces.
We predict that the popularity of the ZTNA approach will be applied across both remote-work and on-premise policies next year. All endpoints, cloud services, apps and devices must be approached as a potential vulnerability or opportunity for exposure. This is fast becoming the starting place for businesses of all sizes and across all verticals.
The growing importance of the zero trust architecture will also be part of a wider, concerted effort by businesses to consolidate and bolster their cybersecurity strategies. For many businesses, this will mean investing more resources and capital in their cybersecurity budget – despite the volatile economic climate.
Consolidation
Perhaps the most important projection for 2023 is how businesses will consolidate their technologies, solutions and vendors to simplify and streamline their cybersecurity strategies and ensure the ultimate level of protection for their infrastructures.
Consolidating a business’s current tools, technologies and processes in place has several benefits: reducing IT teams’ workloads, decreasing costs, and minimising complexities. Working with fewer vendors who can provide a comprehensive approach to your business’s security needs can also, ultimately, help protect against threats. We predict that, in 2023, many more businesses will minimise the risk inherent in each and every third-party or solution, and the risks of amalgamating solutions together to provide a patch-work approach to security. Contact the Appurity team today to learn more about how our holistic and affordable approach to mobile secuity can keep your users productive and your business protected.